A high-speed chase through Paw Paw ended with the suspect crashing into this garage.Courtesy of Van Buren County Sheriff

PAW PAW, MI -- A man who was attempting to steal gasoline from a Speedway gas station in Paw Paw was arrested after leading police on a high-speed chase Monday afternoon.

Van Buren County Sheriff's deputies received a call about a man, driving a blue Buick Riviera, pumping gas at the station at about 12:15 p.m.. The caller said he had recently driven off without paying for fuel, according to a news release.

A deputy in the area located the vehicle as it was leaving the gas station at 855 S. Kalamazoo Street and attempted to stop the car but the driver failed to do so.

The suspect, a 56-year-old Paw Paw man, drove through a car dealership parking lot and went eastbound on St. Joseph Street and continued eastbound on 56th Avenue. The suspect led police on a chase on several other streets in Paw Paw, reaching speeds up to 80 miles per hour.

The chase ended on 58th Avenue near the intersection of County Road 657 when the suspect drove through a private residence's yard and then through an unattached two-car garage.

The suspect exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was soon apprehended by deputies after a brief struggle.

Extensive damage was done to the garage, which was unoccupied and had no vehicles in it.

Police say the suspect may have been under the influence of a controlled substance at the time.

The man is currently lodged at the Van Buren County Jail awaiting arraignment on charges of fleeing and eluding police, larceny and driving while license suspended.